Guyanese-born Dr Mark Bynoe is “fit and proper” to manage the newly established Department of Energy despite his lack of experience in the field of oil and gas, President David Granger said.
“We decided on a person who is experienced not necessarily in petroleum but who has the intelligence and experience to find the people who are experienced,” President Granger told reporters Thursday at State House.
The Department will fall under the Ministry of the Presidency and will be responsible for granting oil concessions and licences. Effective August 1, 2018, the Department has taken over all oil and gas responsibilities from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Given the importance of the Department, concerns have been expressed about Dr Bynoe’s qualifications to manage the tasks at hand.
He previously worked with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in Belize and he has a Master of Science Degree and a Doctorate in Environmental Science.
With the establishment of the department gazetted, Dr Bynoe would now have to employ persons to work in the department and get the unit up and running.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had no criticisms about Dr Bynoe’s appointment but he expressed concerns about how exactly the Energy Department will complement the Petroleum Commission.
He noted that with the two agencies being very similar in nature, the government needs to ensure the structure of each is crystal clear so responsibilities will not overlap.
Former Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud took to Facebook to congratulate Dr Bynoe on his appointment.
Persaud noted that Dr Bynoe is a young and brilliant Guyanese who is committed to serving his country.
He said that as Guyanese “we must be able to give our own a chance rather than rush to doubt their skills and abilities to rise to the occasion”.